Subject: Women, prisons...x-rays
From: bodega@sprintmail.com
Date: Thu Jun 22 2000 - 19:17:34 CDT
I'm attaching a message I received via another list-server. Disturbing.
Jeanne /jflavin@fordham.edu
Cynthia Chandler <wplan@pacbell.net>
Hey Folks:
I wanted to forward some information about the latest serveillance
technology being used to screen visiters entering California's prisons.
The CDoC has installed Secure 1000 Personnel Scanners into many of its
prisons. These machines use low grade x-rays to detect metal and
non-metal objects. All visiters are required to have 4 x-rays taken of
them each time they enter the prison. A sample image from one of these
machines is provided at the following site:
http://www.rapiscan.com/documents/Secure.htm
As you can see, the devise allows corrections staff to see what someone
looks like practically nude. Untill I complained that a group of male
correctional officers stood jearing and snickering as I had to have my
x-rays taken, male officers regularly x-rayed all female visiters to the
Central California Women's Facility. The devise also allows corrections
staff to save onto disk any individual's image(s). The potential for
abuse of this function is extremely unnerving.
Corrections staff claim that these machines are necessary to reduce drug
smuggling into prisons. However, the embarrassing exposure, not to
mention health risks, visiters face as result of this machine are more
powerfully functioning to deter prisoners' social and legal visits. Any
ideas on resisting this new technology?
Cynthia Chandler, Director
Women's Positive Legal Action Network
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